Work begins on Glens Falls roundabout

Author: Jessica Mokhiber
Date: 4/2/2007
Source: www.capitalnews9.com

It's an impressive sight in downtown Glens Falls, as crews work to dig up the road and start work on the roundabout project.

Gourmet Café Owner Francis Willis said, "It's only five weeks, and it's April. The weather is getting nicer so people should come out and watch these guys. It's something to watch. It's amazing."

Willis' restaurant on Glen Street looks right out into the work zone, but he's not worried about this affecting his business.

"We're open the whole time. We're not going away. We just talked to the construction foreman. He said they're already ahead of schedule. They're going to be down by us, installing the crosswalk by the end of the week. So they're going to keep the sidewalk still accessible for everyone," said Willis.

Other local business owners say last summer's construction did affect their sales, so this time around, they're all working together and with the city to remind people that they're still open, despite the detours and road closures. Not only that, the parking lots are still open and, as usual, free to the public.

Ridge Street Coffee Company owner Keith Guillory said, "It's possible to come in within a half a block of the five points in every direction and find parking."

Glens Falls Downtown Business Manager Bianca Guldan said, "Support the businesses, even though it may seem a little inconvenient, it really isn't."

While for some this seems like a hassle, most people in the area are keeping their sights set to the future.

Guillory said, "We're all looking forward to sun-shiny days on the other side of construction, but right now every business is doing it's best, doing all the marketing we can."

Guldan said, "It's just keeping that long term result in mind."

In the meantime, project managers say the roundabout should be finished by May 6th.